Pens Welcome Islanders To Igloo Tonight

Former Islanders' captain Bill Guerin suites up against his old mates tonight.

Two days to take the sting away from Alex Ovechkin’s hat trick and the Capitals furious come-from-behind victory Sunday afternoon.  Still don’t feel great, do you?

Enter the New York Islanders, an upstart club who opened the season playing above their heads, but a 2-8 record in their last 10 has dropped them to 13^th in the Eastern Conference with 56 points.  Still, after a 4-3 shootout win against Nashville last night, the Isles are only five points back of eighth-place Philadelphia.

The Pens haven’t set the world on fire either recently, winning just five of their last 10 encounters.  They are 2-1 against super-rookie John Tavares this year.  In Pittsburgh’s two wins, Sidney Crosby has three goals and five assists.  He did not notch a point in a 3-2 loss on the Island in late November.

The last time these two teams tangled it was a magical night for Sir Sidney.  His two goals and four assists tied a career-high with six points.  Geno Malkin added a hat trick in the 6-4 home victory.

In addition to Tavares, the Islanders are led by Kyle Okposo’s team-best 38 points (12g-26a) and Matt Moulson who has lit the lamp a team-high 21 times.

There is no doubt the Penguins need a tonic after the poison they swallowed Sunday.  A three-game homestand, beginning tonight, could provide a feel-good send-off to the Olympic break.